EP2043304B1

EP2043304B1 - Method for optimizing the amplitude of a communication signal

Info

Publication number: EP2043304B1
Application number: EP08161499A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hideaki Watanabe; Hitoshi Ogawa
Original assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-28
Filing date: 2008-07-30
Publication date: 2010-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-30
Also published as: JP2009088891A; EP2043304A1; JP5125368B2; US8082380B2; US20090085634A1; DE602008001094D1

Description

The present application relates to optimizing of communication signal.
A device connected to a network that complies with the IEEE1394.b standard is operable in one of a plurality of different transfer speed modes. For example, a device may be operable in one of S400, S800, S1600, S3200 modes. Such a device is connected to a network by a cable. In these modes, devices generate output signals having amplitudes (output amplitudes). The maximum value of the output amplitudes is 800 mV and the same in each mode. However, these modes have different maximum transfer speeds and different tolerable minimum values for the output amplitudes. In such a network, power consumption of the device must be reduced while enabling stable communication between devices.
In the S400 mode, the maximum transfer speed is 500 Mbps, and the minimum value for the output amplitude is 300 mV. In the S800 mode, the maximum transfer speed is 1 Gbps, and the minimum value for the output amplitude is 350 mV. In the S1600 mode, the maximum transfer speed is 2 Gbps, and the minimum value for the output amplitude is 475 mV.
The maximum transfer speeds and minimum values of the output amplitudes for the IEEE 1394.b standard are higher than that for the IEEE 1394.a standard. Accordingly, in a network that is in compliance with the IEEE 1394.b standard, the power consumption tends to be greater than that of a network that is in compliance with the IEEE 1394.a standard.
To operate devices connected to a network in different modes, the minimum value of the output amplitude for a transmission circuit must be the same in each device. In such a case, to ensure stable data transmission, the minimum value of the output amplitude for each device must be set in accordance with the device having the highest minimum output amplitude. Accordingly, when transmitting data from a device having a high transfer speed to a device having a low transfer speed, the minimum output amplitude becomes unnecessarily high. This results in unnecessary power consumption.
The standardized maximum length of a cable, which uses copper wires, for connecting devices is 4.5 m. However, a device used in a vehicle may require a longer cable. In such a case, to perform stable communication between devices, the output amplitude value must be set at a significantly higher level. As a result, for other devices that are connected by standardized cables, unnecessary power is consumed.
Further, if the output amplitude value is set to be high, this would increase the radiated electromagnetic waves and produce electromagnetic wave noise.
Japanese Laid-Out Patent Publication No. 2003-46384 describes an output circuit for setting the amplitude of an output signal to a desired value regardless of the resistance in a transmission path. However, the publication does not teach the reduction of power consumption in a device that operates in compliance with the IEEE 1394.b standard.
WO 01/39481 A1 discloses a method which includes establishing a pathway from a first transceiver to a second transceiver, determining a power level at the second transceiver, and determining whether the power level at the second transceiver is at an acceptable level over the pathway. The method also includes adjusting a power level at the first transceiver in response to determining whether the power at the second transceiver is at the acceptable level. The apparatus includes a first and second logic. The first logic is capable of establishing a pathway with a transceiver. The second logic is capable of determining a power level at the transceiver, determining whether the power level at the transceiver is at an acceptable level over the pathway, and adjusting a power level of the apparatus in response to determining whether the power at the transceiver is at the acceptable level.
US 2004/0221216 A1 discloses a method for selecting the amplitude of signals received via a communication medium.
US 6,061,427 discloses a transmission power control method in an ADSL system for transmitting data through a telephone line interposed between an ADSL-TUC and and ADSL-TUR. The ADSL system compares a noise margin with a reference value and reduces a transmission power level of a transmission signal step-by-step, beginning from an initial maximum power level. When the transmission power level is reduced to the point that the noise margin no longer exceeds the reference value, the transmission power level is then restored to a level just high enough that the noise margin is greater than the reference value.
EP 1 484 854 A2 discloses a communication device having a controller that has a maximum speed information requesting section adapted to transmit a maximum speed information requesting command at the minimum one of the stepwise differentiated transmission speeds, requesting transmission in return of maximum speed information for another communication device, a maximmum speed information acquisition section adapted to acquire maximum speed information, a confirmation information transmitting section adapted to transmit confirmation information, and a transmission speed selecting section adapted to select the maximum transmission speed at which it can acquire the reception information from said another communication device as transmission speed for transmitting data to said another communication device for data communication.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a first control unit arranged to generate a first signal transmitted from a first node in predetermined time intervals during a first period that establishes an environment for communication between the first node and a second node operable to communicate with the first node, detect a second signal transmitted from the second node in response to the first signal, and generate a third signal upon detection of the second signal; and a second control unit arranged to decrease amplitude of the first signal based on the third signal to set the amplitude of the first signal to a predetermined amplitude so that the first signal is receivable with the second node; characterized in that:

the first control unit is arranged to generate a fourth signal based on output of the first signal; and the second control unit comprises: a counter arranged to increment a count value based on the fourth signal when the third signal is input from the first control unit; and a third control unit arranged to generate a fifth signal for adjusting the amplitude of the first signal based on the count value of the counter, wherein the first node is adapted to update the count value of the counter consecutively by iteratively sending a first signal with modified amplitude and iteratively receiving a corresponding second signal indicating positive or negative acknowledgement so as to adjust the amplitude of the first signal iteratively.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for optimizing the amplitude of a signal, the method comprising: iteratively transmitting a first signal from a transmission node to a reception node operable to communicate with the transmission node; transmitting a second signal from the reception node to the transmission node whenever the first signal is received; generating a third signal whenever the second signal is detected at the transmission node; decreasing amplitude of the first signal to detect a minimum amplitude of the first signal that enables communication between the transmission node and the reception node; and setting, after detection of the minimum amplitude, the amplitude of the first signal transmitted from the transmission node to a predetermined amplitude based on the minimum amplitude; characterised by:

generating a fourth signal whenever the first signal is transmitted, wherein said decreasing amplitude of the first signal further includes: incrementing a count value based on the fourth signal in response to receiving the third signal; generating, based on the count value, a fifth signal for adjusting the amplitude of the first signal; and consecutively updating the count value by iteratively sending a first signal with modified amplitude and iteratively receiving a corresponding second signal indicating positive or negative acknowledgement, so as to iteratively adjust the amplitude of the first signal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication system comprising: a first node; and a second node operable to communicate with the first node; wherein the first node comprises: a first control unit arranged to generate a first signal transmitted from the first node in predetermined time intervals during a first period that establishes an environment for communication between the first node and the second node, detect a second signal transmitted from the second node in response to the first signal, and generate a third signal upon detection of the second signal; and a second control unit arranged to set the amplitude of the first signal to a predetermined amplitude based on the third signal so that the first signal is receivable with the second node; characterized in that: the first control unit is arranged to generate a fourth signal based on output of the first signal; and the second control unit comprises: a counter arranged to increment a count value based on the fourth signal when the third signal is input from the first control unit; and a third control unit arranged to generate a fifth signal for adjusting the amplitude of the first signal based on the count value of the counter, wherein the first node is adapted to update the count value of the counter consecutively by iteratively sending a first signal with modified amplitude and iteratively receiving a corresponding second signal indicating positive or negative acknowledgement so as to adjust the amplitude of the first signal iteratively.
The embodiments, together with objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by reference to the following description of the presently embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a transceiver that is in compliance with the 1394.b standard;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a network;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an amplitude control circuit;
Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transfer speed setting operation;
Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an amplitude adjustment operation; and
Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the amplitude adjustment operation when a communication peer is unconnected.

In the drawings, like numerals are used for like elements throughout.
A transceiver according to a embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the transceiver is a semiconductor device. Fig. 2 shows an example of a network that is in compliance with the IEEE 1394.b standard. A personal computer 1 is connected to an externally connected hard disk drive 2 and a DVD recorder 3, which incorporates a hard disk. Data, such as image data or audio data, is transferable between the personal computer 1 and the hard disk drive 2. Data is also transferable between the personal computer 1 and the DVD recorder 3. Accordingly, data is transferable between the hard disk drive 2 and the DVD recorder 3 via the personal computer 1.
A television 4 and a digital video camera 5 are connected to the DVD recorder 3. Data is transferable between the digital video camera 5 and the DVD recorder 3. Image data recorded to the DVD recorder 3 is transferable to the television 4.
Further, image data recorded to the digital video camera 5 may be transferred via the DVD recorder 3 to the television 4 for reproduction. The image data recorded to the digital video camera 5 may also be transferred via the DVD recorder 3 to the personal computer 1 of the hard disk drive 2 for recording.
Fig. 1 shows a transceiver unit incorporated in each device that is shown in Fig. 2. The transceiver unit of each device implements a transmission function for transmitting transfer data and a reception function for receiving transfer data. Hereafter, a transmission node (first node) for transmitting transfer data and a reception node (second node) for receiving transfer data will be described.
A transmission node 6, which transmits transfer data, includes a transmission terminal 7a and a reception terminal 8a. A reception node 9, which receives transfer data from the transmission node 6, includes a transmission terminal 7b and a reception terminal 8b. The transmission terminal 7a and reception terminal 8a are connected to the transmission terminal 7b and reception terminal 8b by a cable 10 in a manner enabling bi-directional parallel communication. The transmission terminals 7a and 7b and the reception terminals 8a and 8b each include a terminal resistor having the same resistance.
The transmission node 6 receives a signal (e.g., response signal) transferred from the reception node 9 via the reception terminal 8a with the reception circuit 11. The reception circuit 11 provides such a reception signal Din to a physical logic unit 12 (first control unit) that is in compliance with the IEEE 1394.b standard.
In response to the reception signal Din, the physical logic unit 12 provides an amplitude control circuit 13 (second control unit) with various types of control signals. The physical logic unit 12 also provides a transmission circuit 14 with transmission data Do. The amplitude control circuit 13 provides the transmission circuit 14 with an amplitude value control signal Cw.
The transmission circuit 14 generates the transmission data Do as a differential signal and controls the amplitude of the differential signal based on the amplitude value control signal Cw. The output signal (differential signal) of the transmission circuit 14 is transmitted via the transmission terminal 7a.
The differential signal output from the transmission circuit 14 is provided to a connection detection circuit 15. The connection detection circuit 15 detects amplitude changes in the output signal of the transmission circuit 14 to detect whether or not the transmission node 6 and reception node 9 are connected. Then, the connection detection circuit 15 provides the amplitude control circuit 13 with detection signals Y1 and Y2 (additional or eighth signal).
More specifically, when the transmission node 6 is connected to the reception node 9 by a cable, the terminal resistor of the transmission terminal 7a and the terminal resistor of the reception terminal 8b in the reception node 9 are connected to each other in parallel. In this state, the amplitudes of output signals (output amplitude) from the transmission circuit 14 are constant. In a state in which the reception terminal 8b (i.e., reception node 9) is connected to the transmission node 6, the output amplitude is decreased to one half of that in a state in which the reception terminal 8b is not connected.
The amplitude control circuit 13 is provided with an adjustment time control signal Ct. An external circuit (not shown) that sets the time for performing synchronization between the transmission node and the reception node 9 provides the adjustment control signal Ct.
In the reception node 9, a reception circuit 16 receives a reception signal via the reception terminal 8b and provides the reception signal to a physical logic unit 17. Further, when the reception node 9 is undergoing a transmission operation, a transmission circuit 18 transfers a transmission signal from the physical logic unit 17 to the transmission node 6 via the transmission terminal 7b.
Fig. 3 shows in detail the configuration of the amplitude control circuit 13 in the transmission node 6. The physical logic unit 12 provides an amplitude adjustment counter 19 with an acknowledgement detection signal ACK (third signal and sixth signal), a tone count value TC (fourth signal), and port state signal PO. The acknowledgment detection signal ACK (hereafter referred to as the detection signal ACK) will now be described. To establish communication with the reception node 9, the transmission node 6 transmits tone signals (first signal) at predetermined timings to the reception node 9. When receiving the tone signals, the reception node 9 transmits to the transmission node 6 tone signals (second signal), each including the ACK signal. When detecting transmission of the ACK signal from the reception node 9, the transmission node 6 generates the detection signal ACK.
When receiving a tone signal as the reception signal Din and detecting the ACK signal from the reception signal Din, the physical logic unit 12 provides the detection signal ACK to the amplitude control circuit 13. Further, when receiving a tone signal, the physical logic unit 12 updates a tone count value TC and provides the tone count value TC to the amplitude control circuit 13. The tone count value TC indicates the number of times tone signals have been transmitted from the physical logic unit 12. The port state signal PO indicates the state of a port. When outputting a tone signal as the transmission data Do, the physical logic unit 12 outputs a port state signal PO.
When a detection signal ACK is input in a state in which the port state signal PO is input, the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 increments an amplitude adjustment value in accordance with the updating of the tone counter TC and provides a tone signal amplitude adjustment register 20 with the incremented amplitude adjustment value. When a detection signal ACK is not input, the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 decrements the amplitude adjustment value in accordance with the updated tone counter TC and provides the tone signal amplitude adjustment register 20 with the decremented amplitude adjustment value.
The tone signal amplitude adjustment register 20 is also provided with the port state signal PO. In a state in which the port state signal PO is input, the tone signal amplitude adjustment register 20 holds the count value (amplitude adjustment value) from the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 and provides an amplitude adjustment decoder 21 (third control unit) with the count value.
A synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 is provided with an adjustment time control signal Ct, a beta port state signal BS, and a port state signal P11. The port state signal P11 indicates the state of a port. When outputting a synchronization signal as transmission data Do, the physical logic unit 12 outputs the port state signal P11. The beta port state signal indicates the state of signal transmission and reception in a beta mode. The beta mode is a mode in which communication is performed between IEEE 1394.b devices.
When a synchronization signal is transferred between the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9, the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 is provided with the port state signal P11. In response to the beta port state signal BS, the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 increments an amplitude adjustment value and provides the amplitude adjustment value to a synchronization signal amplitude adjustment register 23. When the reception node 9 does not receive a synchronization signal from the transmission node 6, the transmission node 6 does not receive a synchronization signal from the reception node 9. In this case, the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 decrements the amplitude adjustment value in response to the beta port state signal BS.
The port state signal P11 is also provided to the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment register 23. In a state in which the port state signal P11 is input, the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment register 23 holds a count value (amplitude adjustment value) from the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 and provides the count value to the amplitude adjustment decoder 21.
The port state signal P11 is further provided to the amplitude adjustment decoder 21. In a state in which the port state signal P11 is input (enable state), the amplitude adjustment decoder 21 generates an amplitude value control signal Cw (fifth signal) based on the count value from the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment register 23. In a state in which the port state signal P11 is not input (disable state), the amplitude adjustment decoder 21 generates the amplitude value control signal Cw based on the count value from the tone signal amplitude adjustment register 20.
Fig. 4 shows the transmission data Do when the transmission node 6 undergoes a transfer speed setting operation (first period). The transmission node 6 sets the environment for communication between the two nodes 6 and 9 in the transfer speed setting operation.
The transmission node 6 first outputs a tone signal tn1 to check the existence of the reception node 9, which is a communication peer, before starting communication. The tone signal tn1 is output at intervals of 42.67 ms for time periods of 667.67 µs.
When detecting the tone signal tn1, the reception node 9 transmits a tone signal, which includes the ACK signal, to the transmission node 6. The transmission node 6 receives the tone signal as the reception signal Din. When detecting the ACK signal from the reception signal Din, the physical logic unit 12 recognizes connection of the reception node 9 and provides the detection signal ACK to the amplitude control circuit 13.
After detection of the ACK signal, the physical logic unit 12 outputs the next tone signal tn2 as the ACK signal and outputs transfer speed information with the following tone signals tn3 to tn8. The transfer speed information represented by the tone signals tn3 to tn8 is a predetermined code string representing one of S400, S800, and S1600 modes. For example, for the S400 mode, transfer speed information in a code string of "110XX0" is output by the tone signals tn3 to tn8. When a code of "0" is output, the output of a tone signal having a time period of 667.67 µs is suspended. The tone signals tn3 to tn8 are transmitted in predetermined time intervals.
The transmission node 6 exchanges transfer speed information with the reception node 9 and selects a mode for setting the transfer speed.
Parallel to the setting operation of the transfer speed, the transmission node 6 undergoes an operation for setting the amplitude of the tone signal as the minimum amplitude for enabling transmission and reception of a signal between the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9. This operation is shown in Fig. 5.
When receiving a tone signal, which includes the ACK signal, from the reception node 9 and thereby recognizing that the reception node 9 is connected, the transmission node 6 outputs the ACK signal (Tn2). Then, the transmission node 6 shifts to an amplitude adjustment mode for adjusting the amplitudes of the tone signals tn3 to tn8.
When the detection signal ACK is input in a state in which the port state signal P0 is input, the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 of the amplitude control circuit 13 decrements the amplitude adjustment value in response to the updating of the tone count value TC and provides the amplitude adjustment value to the tone signal amplitude adjustment register 20.
The first tone signal tn3 output from the transmission node 6 subsequent to the ACK signal (tn2) is output with the maximum amplitude for the mode that is to be set. When receiving the tone signal tn3, the reception node 9 transmits a tone signal tnr, which includes the ACK signal, to the transmission node 6. The physical logic unit 12 of the transmission node 6 detects the ACK signal and provides the detection signal ACK to the amplitude control circuit 13.
The tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 increments the count value (amplitude adjustment value) whenever outputting a tone signal. Based on the amplitude adjustment value, the amplitude adjustment decoder 21 generates the amplitude value control signal Cw. This operation is repeated to gradually decrease the amplitudes of the tone signals as shown in Fig. 5.
When decreasing the amplitudes of the tone signals, the amplitudes of the tone signals tn3 to tn6 are gradually decreased in the manner of 0.9, 0.8, and 0.7 times the maximum amplitude value (amplitude of the tone signal tn3).
The maximum value of the amplitudes of the tone signals differ between the S400, S800, and S1600 modes. When the maximum value is 1.0 for the S1600 mode, the maximum value for the S800 mode is 0.8 times of that for the S1600 mode, and the maximum value for the S400 is 0.667 times of that for the S400 mode.
During the process for gradually decreasing the amplitudes of the tone signals tn3 to tn6, for example, if the reception node 9does not receive the tone signal tn6, the reception node 9 transmits a tone signal tnrx, which does not include the ACK signal, to the transmission node 6.
In this case, the transmission node 6 does not detect the ACK signal and thus does not provide the amplitude control circuit 13 with the detection signal ACK. Accordingly, the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 performs decrementing in response to the updating of the tone count value TC. As a result, the amplitude of the tone signal tn7, which is output next from the transmission node 6, returns to the same amplitude as the tone signal tn5. Then, the amplitude adjustment operation is completed. In other words, when the detection signal ACK is not provided to the amplitude control circuit 13, the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19 suspends counting after performing decrementing.
Such operations converge the amplitudes of tone signals to a level that is close to the minimum amplitude required for transferring signals between the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9.
When the tone signals tn3 to tn8 are output from the transmission node 6, the transfer speed setting operation is completed. Then, the transmission node 6 performs a synchronization operation. During the synchronization period (second period), the transmission node 6 transmits synchronization signals SYa (further or seventh signal) in predetermined time intervals to the reception node 9 based on the adjustment time control signal Ct.
When the synchronization signals are being transferred between the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9, the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 increments the amplitude adjustment value in response to the beta port state signal BS. The incrementing gradually decreases the amplitudes of the synchronization signals output from the transmission node 6 as shown in Fig. 5.
When the amplitude of the synchronization signal SYa becomes small, the reception node 9 does not receive the synchronization signal. Thus, the reception node 9 does not transmit a synchronization signal SYb from the transmission node 6. In such a case, the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22 of the transmission node 6 decrements the amplitude adjustment value in response to the beta port state signal BS. Accordingly, the amplitude of the synchronization signal SYa is increased based on the amplitude adjustment value.
The change amount in the amplitude value of the synchronization signal SYa that corresponds to the minimum change in the count value of the synchronization signal amplitude adjustment counter 22, is sufficiently less than the change amount in the amplitude value of the tone signal that corresponds to the minimum change in the count value of the tone signal amplitude adjustment counter 19. Accordingly, the amplitude value of the synchronization signal SYa converges at a level that is substantially equal to the minimum level required for the transfer of signals between the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9. Signal transfer operations subsequent to the synchronizing are continued at this amplitude.
The existence of the reception node 9, which is a communication peer, is checked before the transmission node 6 starts communication. Fig. 6 shows the operations that are performed when connection with the reception node 9 does not be detected. As shown in the drawing, when the transmission node 6 checks for the reception node 9, the tone signal tn1 is output with the maximum amplitude. If the reception node 9 is not connected, the terminal resistor of the reception terminal 8a in the reception node 9 is not connected to the transmission terminal 7a of the transmission node 6. In this case, the amplitude of the tone signal tn1 output from the transmission circuit 14 is two times greater than the normal maximum amplitude.
As a result, the connection detection circuit 15 of the transmission node 6 detects an increase in the amplitude of the tone signal tn1 and provides the amplitude control circuit 13 with the connection detection signal Y1, which indicates that the reception node 9 is unconnected.
The amplitude control circuit 13 provides the transmission circuit 14 with the amplitude control signal Cw, which is preset, in response to the connection detection signal Y1. Afterwards, the tone signals output from the transmission circuit 14 subsequent to the tone signal tn2 are continuously output with a small amplitude that is preset by the amplitude adjustment decoder 21.
Further, after the tone signals tn2 to tn4 are output with a small amplitude from the transmission circuit 14, the tone signal tn5 is output. During transmission of the tone signal tn5, if a new reception node 9 is connected, the amplitude of the tone signal tn5 is decreased by one half. As a result, the connection detection circuit 15 detects the change in the amplitude and provides the connection detection signal Y2 to the amplitude adjustment decoder 21 of the amplitude control circuit 13.
The amplitude adjustment decoder 21 provides the transmission circuit 14 with the amplitude value control signal Cw, which is preset, in response to the connection detection signal Y2. As a result, the tone signal tn6 is output with the maximum amplitude from the transmission circuit 14. Then, the transfer speed setting operation shown in Fig. 4 is performed.
The embodiment has the advantages described below.

(1) When the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9 undergo the transfer sped setting operation, the transmission node 6 detects the minimum amplitude required for the transfer of signals and subsequently transfers signals with the detected amplitude. This reduces power consumption and electromagnetic noise in the transceiver.
(2) Regardless of the modes or cable lengths of the transmission node 6 and the reception node 9, the transmission node 6 automatically sets the minimum amplitude required for transferring signals between the two nodes.
(3) The transmission node 6 gradually decreases the amplitudes of the tone signals transmitted to the reception node 9 during the transfer speed setting operation and determines whether or not the reception node 9 is receivable of the tone signals. Thus, the minimum amplitude required for transferring signals between the two nodes 6 and 9 is automatically set.
(4) During the transfer signal synchronization that follows the transfer speed setting operation, the transmission node 6 gradually decreases the amplitudes of the synchronization signals transmitted to the reception node and determines whether or not the reception node 9 is receivable of the synchronization signals. Thus, the minimum amplitude required for transferring signals between the two nodes 6 and 9 is automatically set.
(5) The decreased amount of the amplitude of the synchronization signal is finely set. This enables accurate setting of the required minimum amplitude.
(6) When the reception node 9 is not connected to the transmission node 6, the amplitude of a tone signal for detecting a communication peer is restricted to a preset amplitude, which is small. This reduces power consumption during the detection of a communication peer.
(7) When a communication peer is connected in a state in which the tone signal transmitted to detect a communication peer is restricted to a preset amplitude, which is small, the tone signal is set to the maximum amplitude. Accordingly, the transmission node 6 may subsequently shift to the transfer speed setting operation.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the aforementioned embodiment may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the embodiment. Particularly, it should be understood that the embodiment may be embodied in the following forms.
The amplitude adjustment operation for synchronization signals may be eliminated such that the amplitude adjustment operation for tone signals is performed during the transfer speed setting operation.
The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A semiconductor device comprising:
a first control unit (12) arranged to generate a first signal (tn3) transmitted from a first node (6) in predetermined time intervals during a first period that establishes an environment for communication between the first node (6) and a second node (9) operable to communicate with the first node (6), detect a second signal (tnr) transmitted from the second node (9) in response to the first signal, and generate a third signal (ACK) upon detection of the second signal (tnr); and

a second control unit (19, 20, 21) arranged to decrease amplitude of the first signal (tn3) based on the third signal (ACK) to set the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) to a predetermined amplitude (tn7) so that the first signal (tn3) is receivable with the second node (9);
characterized in that:
the first control unit (12) is arranged to generate a fourth signal (TC) based on output of the first signal (tn3); and

the second control unit (19, 20, 21) comprises:
a counter (19) arranged to increment a count value based on the fourth signal (TC) when the third signal (ACK) is input from the first control unit (12); and

a third control unit (21) arranged to generate a fifth signal (Cw) for adjusting the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) based on the count value of the counter (19),

wherein the first node is adapted to update the count value of the counter (19) consecutively by iteratively sending a first signal (tn3) with modified amplitude and iteratively receiving a corresponding second signal (tnr) indicating positive or negative acknowledgement so as to adjust the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) iteratively.
The semiconductor device according to claim 1, characterized in that:
the counter (19) is arranged to decrement the count value based on the fourth signal (TC) when the third signal (ACK) is not input from the first control unit (12); and

the first control unit (12) is arranged to generate a sixth signal (ACK) for suspending operation of the counter (19) after decrementing the count value.
The semiconductor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second control unit (19, 20, 21) further includes a register (20) arranged to hold the count value of the counter (19) and provide the third control unit (21) with the held count value.
The semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first control unit (12) is arranged to generate a further signal (SYa) transmitted from the first node (6) in predetermined time intervals during a second period that follows the first period, the semiconductor device further comprising:
a fourth control unit (21, 22, 23) arranged to gradually decrease amplitude of the further signal (SYa) to set the amplitude of the further signal (SYa) to a predetermined amplitude so that the second node (9) is receivable of the further signal (SYa).
The semiconductor device according to claim 4, characterized in that the fourth control unit (21, 22, 23) is arranged to set the amplitude of the further signal (SYa) output first from the first control unit (12) to the amplitude (tn7) of the first signal (tn3).
The semiconductor device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fourth control unit (21, 22, 23) is arranged to set the amplitude of the further signal (SYa) to be smaller than the amplitude (tn7) of the first signal (tn3).
The semiconductor device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first control unit (12), the second control unit (19, 20, 21), and the fourth control unit (21, 22, 23) are arranged to operate in the second period in the same manner as in the first period to adjust the amplitude of the further signal (Sya).
The semiconductor device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the first period is for setting a communication speed for the first node (6) and the second node (9), and the second period is for synchronizing the first node (6) and the second node (9).
The semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further characterized by:
a detector (15) arranged to detect whether or not the second node (9) is connected to the first node (6) based on the amplitude (tn7) of the first signal (tn3) to generate an additional signal (Y1; Y2); and

the second control unit (19, 20, 21) is arranged to decrease the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) based on the additional signal (Y1; Y2) when the second node (9) is unconnected.
The semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first node (6) and the second node (9) are arranged to perform communication based on the IEEE 1394.b standard.
A method for optimizing the amplitude of a signal, the method comprising:
iteratively transmitting a first signal (tn3) from a transmission node (6) to a reception node (9) operable to communicate with the transmission node (6);

transmitting a second signal (tnr) from the reception node (9) to the transmission node (6) whenever the first signal (tn3) is received;

generating a third signal (ACK) whenever the second signal (tnr) is detected at the transmission node (6);

decreasing amplitude of the first signal (tn3) to detect a minimum amplitude of the first signal (tn3) that enables communication between the transmission node (6) and the reception node (9); and

setting, after detection of the minimum amplitude, the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) transmitted from the transmission node (6) to a predetermined amplitude (tn7) based on the minimum amplitude;
characterised by:
generating a fourth signal (TC) whenever the first signal (tn3) is transmitted, wherein said decreasing amplitude of the first signal (tn3) further includes:
incrementing a count value based on the fourth signal (TC) in response to receiving the third signal (ACK);

generating, based on the count value, a fifth signal (Cw) for adjusting the amplitude of the first signal (tn3); and

consecutively updating the count value by iteratively sending a first signal (tn3) with modified amplitude and iteratively receiving a corresponding second signal (tnr) indicating positive or negative acknowledgement, so as to iteratively adjust the amplitude (tn7) of the first signal (tn3).
A communication system comprising:
a first node (6); and

a second node (9) operable to communicate with the first node (6);

wherein the first node (6) comprises:
a first control unit (12) arranged to generate a first signal (tn3) transmitted from the first node (6) in predetermined time intervals during a first period that establishes an environment for communication between the first node (6) and the second node (9), detect a second signal (tnr) transmitted from the second node (9) in response to the first signal (tn3), and generate a third signal (ACK) upon detection of the second signal (tnr); and

a second control unit (19, 20, 21) arranged to set the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) to a predetermined amplitude (tn7) based on the third signal (ACK) so that the first signal (tn3) is receivable with the second node (9);

characterized in that:
the first control unit (12) is arranged to generate a fourth signal (TC) based on output of the first signal (tn3); and

the second control unit (19, 20, 21) comprises:
a counter (19) arranged to increment a count value based on the fourth signal (TC) when the third signal (ACK) is input from the first control unit (12); and

a third control unit (21) arranged to generate a fifth signal (Cw) for adjusting the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) based on the count value of the counter (19),

wherein the first node is adapted to update the count value of the counter (19) consecutively by iteratively sending a first signal (tn3) with modified amplitude and iteratively receiving a corresponding second signal (tnr) indicating positive or negative acknowledgement so as to adjust the amplitude of the first signal (tn3) iteratively.